The crown prince used Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud to handle the acquisition, the Journal said. But Prince Mohammed is identified as the painting's buyer in US intelligence reports, the newspaper said.

The New York Times on Wednesday identified Prince Bader as the acquirer, citing documents it reviewed.

'Salvator Mundi' sold in the Christie's auction rooms last month.
Kirsty Wigglesworth